Auckland's Sky Tower was lit up blue, white and red this morning to mark One Year to Go to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With a nod to the iconic Eiffel Tower and in honour of the French flag, New Zealand athletes gathered with Chef de Mission Nigel Avery to mark the occasion.
Marcus Daniell (tennis, Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist), Megan Hull (hockey), Hugo Inglis (hockey), David Liti (weightlifting), Billy Stairmand (surfing) and Saffi Vette (surfing) were among those celebrating this morning.
“That was pretty impressive,” said Daniell. “It’s great to see the Sky Tower lit up today and I can’t wait to see the Eiffel Tower up close and personal this time next year.”
“It’s a great reminder that the Games aren’t far away now. There’s a lot of work to do in the next 12 months, including qualification and selection, and I’m really excited.”
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The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will begin on July 26th next year. Around 200 New Zealand Team athletes are expected to compete at the Games, with the stunning city of Paris set to host 10,500 athletes from 206 nations.
Surfer Saffi Vette has been preparing for the conditions in Tahiti, where surfing will be contested.
“I’ve already been to Tahiti which was amazing, the waves were unreal and it was so beautiful. Unfortunately, I hurt my knee so I’m just rehabbing that at the moment,” said Vette.
“Once I’m back in the water I’m going to be doing everything I can to lock in my spot and prepare for the Games. It’s the biggest sporting event in the world so to say I’m fizzed would be an understatement.”
The athletes then enjoyed a classic French breakfast on the waterfront as New Zealand Team Chef de Mission, Nigel Avery spoke to those in attendance.
“One year to go is where it all starts to ramp up, athletes are competing overseas and pitting themselves against the best in the world as they embark on their journey for qualification and selection to Paris 2024” said Avery.
“We’ve been in Paris for planning meetings and are expecting a well-run Games that have been designed to make the most of the city's famous landmarks, connecting people with the action in a stunning urban environment. The venues look fantastic and there’s a real buzz about the Games.
“Test events are beginning at the Olympic venues and our athletes are competing at pinnacle events like the World Aquatics Championships and Diamond League events where we’ve been thrilled to see outstanding results. We send our best wishes to all New Zealand athletes working towards the Games and we look forward to showing the world who we are this time next year.”
With competition taking place at the Palace of Versailles, beneath the Eiffel Tower, inside Stade de France, and around landmarks such as Les Invalides, la Place de la Concorde, L’Hotel de Ville and along the Seine, Paris 2024 will be extraordinary. Marseille and Tahiti will also host Olympic events.
And, for the first time ever, the Games will achieve a 50/50 gender split, with equal numbers of women and men competing.
The Zealand Team is once again set to compete in sports from equestrian, to rowing, rugby sevens, swimming, canoe sprint, sailing, athletics, cycling and more. Compact, urban sports including skateboarding, sport climbing, breaking and 3x3 basketball also feature on the Paris programme.
NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol said New Zealand Team supporters are critical to the Team's success. "Our athletes compete for the fern, and for their friends and whānau," she said. "We know how much parents, coaches, sports and communities do and, as we celebrate the one year to go milestone, we acknowledge their role and significant contribution."
Public packages to Paris 2024 are on sale now and New Zealand Team supporters are encouraged to get behind the team on social media, too.
This is the third time Paris has hosted the Summer Olympic Games, the first was in 1900 and the second was almost 100 years ago in 1924. The New Zealand Team was only represented by four athletes in 1924 with Arthur Porritt, the team captain and flagbearer, winning a bronze medal in the men’s 100m.